Today’s early kick-off in the Premier League saw Manchester City travel to the Emirates Stadium, where a COVID-19 hit Arsenal awaited.
The virus has robbed the Gunners of Mikel Arteta for this game, with the Spaniard forced to watch at home after testing positive.
In his place, Albert Stuivenberg will take the reins, as Arsenal look to record a sixth successive win.
You may be familiar with the 51-year-old, as he can often be seen alongside Arteta with an AirPod in his ear.
It has earned him the nickname AirPod Albert, but why does Stuivenberg wear the Apple device during games?
Albert AirPod Stuivenberg explained
Well, according to the Evening Standard’s Arsenal correspondent Simon Collings, the Dutchman doesn’t just wear an AirPod for the sake of it.
Collings claims that Stuivenberg is usually on a three-way WhatsApp call with fellow coaches Carlos Cuesta and Miguel Molina, with one normally sat in the stands.
The pair feed analysis to Stuivenberg, who then passes the information on to Arteta who is usually sat beside him in the dugout.
Today, we wouldn’t be surprised if Arteta is included on that WhatsApp call, seeing as he’s been forced to isolate.
Arsenal are using modern technology superbly
After hearing the truth behind AirPod Albert, it surprises us that we don’t see more coaches wearing them on the sidelines.
Analysis from the stands can be crucial, as it allows for another perspective during games which can lead to unique findings.
You can get a vastly different view of the game, and individual performances, sat high up as opposed to stood on the touchline.
Clearly, the Gunners are doing something right with their methods, as Arteta has finally found a winning formula in north London.
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